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Support Delivery of Creative Conversations

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This is a labour of love.

Your donation will afford the uninterrupted continuation of the project until such time that an alternative funding source/art and community grant has been secured. I am raising funds in support of the time I invest so that I can continue to offer this project for free to Creatives until such a time as I am successful in receiving grant money to cover operating costs.  I would also like to supply basic supplies for creating and to provide online gift cards to the dollarstore and Micheals to those who identified financial as a barrier to participation and as paymemr to guest workshop/skills sharing leaders. 

What began as a school project about building online supportive communities during Covid-19, due to the prevelance of related isolation, by utalizing the art as a connector slowly expanded with each Round to include more artists and increased audience.

What is Creavite Conversations Pen Pals Project:
Participants are randomly matched in a online creative back and forth, sharing their work and engaging in conversation for two week periods. This culminates in a group artist chat and online exhibition.

The Benefits of participating include, making connections and friends, combating the adverse effects of stress though expressive arts, improving skills and offering Artists a platform to express their thoughts on Covid-19.

During a time when Creatives were left without means to sell their creations at fairs and festivals, in many cases, they were given this platform to sell from and express themselves. That being said, selling has is not been the primary outcome or goal for many. They return for th sense of community. I've creating a welcoming, safe, and judgment-free environment allowing for a peer-supportive community to grow.   

I have been developing, designing and facilitating the project since November and invest approximately 12+ hours each Round to do outreach, address questions, do Live videos to explain the project, send updates, format the online exhibit, and lead the Artist chats. Now I'm investing in grant writing. 

As of March 2021, 34 Creatives have parcipated. They are from all over Onartio, Alberta and a few have join in from the States. 

The testimonials speak to the effectiveness of this stress and isolation intervention. The survey results speaks to a need for more promotion and artists supplies.

Enjoy the latest exhibit here: https://bewhimsiartloft.ca/creative-conversations/creative-pen-pals-exhibit4/

With only 24 to 48 hours as the turnaround goal for each piece, Creatives challenged themselves to create in a quick timeframe using their Matches piece for inspiration.

Creatives  participants were matched in a back and forth creative expression for 2 weeks. 

The Creative Pen Pal journey reveals much more than artistic pieces alone ~ shared experiences and friendships blossom along the way too. Like connecting with a great piece of art or maybe a song, connecting with someone new can be exciting, daring, challenging, frustrating, surprising, comforting, provocative, and awakening.

On this journey together participants grow as creatives ~ experiencing a variety of emotions and insights about their own creative process  Participants are provided with a mood tracker as a tool for self-reflection.

For professional or emerging artists this project serves as an interesting chance to develop and expand in their own artistic discipline or to try a new medium.

For others, having a Creative Pen Pal is a much needed break from the social isolation that the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions impose. Taking part in an online social activity can not only help give one the sense of belonging, but can also combat the adverse psychological and physiological effects of stress caused by the pandemic imposed isolation and restrictions.

For many it’s an excersize in personal growth ~ trusting strangers to contribute to a shared goal. Something beautiful begins to grow as the creative conversation takes on a life of its own and a new unspoken understanding and connection emerges.

All this culminates in a linear exhibit showcasing each unique conversation followed by an intimate private artist group chat over zoom. Creatives are encouraged to speak about their emotions and inspirations for each piece as well as their creative process. We share tips and advice about all things creative. Send us a message to learn how to get involved.

Enjoy the latest exhibit here: https://bewhimsiartloft.ca/creative-conversations/creative-pen-pals-exhibit4/


Kindly,

Rhiannon

Organizer

Rhiannon BARRY
Organizer
Niagara Falls, ON

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